Monday, 10 October 2011

THE BARN THAT TIME FORGOT

Opposite my house is a barn, it has been left untouched for decades. Our house was built in 1870 and we think that the barn was probably built at around the same time. It is likely that the barn has not been used for at least 50 years. It has a magical quality to it, almost as if time had stood still. The area where the horses used to be fed still has hay in the troth and we have found horse shoes and parts of leather reins.

I have mixed views about buildings such as this barn, part of me likes them being left just as they are and another part of me feels they should be restored. Having said that, would it be the same if it was restored. Would it still retain it's magical feel?

We don't own it so it is not a decision we will be making. I can't help feeling quite protective over it though. It holds a special place in my heart.

Now it gives a welcome home to owls, bats and mice.

What I would not want to see is having it turned into a bungalow or holiday home...that would be sacrilege!

The barn is at its most magical at the end of the day, when the sun sets it is filled with a golden glow.

I try and visualise how the barn was used, what he daily routine was like. I'd like to find out more in time.

30 comments:

Hi Isabelle, what a lovely barn,love the pic of it in the sunshine.There is a barn just a short walk away from my house which belongs to a farm and about the same state as yours is in.I often look at it and wonder what stories it holds what secrets it keeps,happy and sad ones, and what will become of it.Love Jill xx

It looks beautiful and such gorgeous views. I love old barns and i hate to see them falling down. This would be great turned into a family home so it could hear the sounds of life and laughter running through it. I can understand how you feel about this. But to me growing up in the country its lovely to see them full of life again if not with animals but with people ;-) dee x

It's lovely, Isabelle! I agree that it would be sad to see it 'done up', but it would also be sad to see it fall down, and in the long run, I guess it's a choice between the two. But for now, you have a wonderful piece of history near you. Just one question - when I explore old buildings (which I love to do) the often smell. Are your beautiful pictures telling the whole story, or is there a bit of a stink?

Oh Isabelle those beautiful pictures brought tears to my eyes! What a splendid place that is and I think it should stand just as it is. If they renovate it, the magic will be lost, like a train without it's plaintive whistle, or New Year's Eve without the nostalgic strains of Auld Lang Syne, the magic is in the remembrances....change it and it is gone.Really lovely post Isabelle!Tina xo

Such beautiful pictures - I can't believe you live opposite such a beautiful sight! if I lived there I would be creeping over with my sleeping bag at night, it must be fantastic to sleep in and I bet there's an owl somewhere? Bettyx

What a wonderful post, with great photos. It is a bit of a dilemma, because if left to rot it will eventually fall down, and that would be a shame, but I was never terribly keen on 'barn conversions' they very seldom look right.I think the ideal scenario would be if someone could use it for a craft workshop of some kind, or a blacksmith's shop perhaps?

What an amazing barn! I know what you mean about developing them - sometimes they become totally sanitized and lose all their original character. And a very old one locally was sold to be converted to a house, and during building it caught fire and burned to the ground - a totally irreplaceable medieval barn. It was tragic.

Those walls hold stories that only our imagination can see. If it was restored, then it would be just another new house wouldn't it. I love the picture with the sun streaming tnrough the window. :)Jess xx

What a beautiful story ~ you have captured the charm and your thoughts and pictures say it all. I wouldn't want anything to happen to it either. It would be awful if something was built in its place as it us part of our history. It reminded me of some of Enid Blyton's stories ~ I could imagine the famous five happening upon the barn and spending the night in it as one of their adventures ~ lovely. Thank you for sharing ~ Haizi x

Dear Isabelle, this would make a lovely book for either children or adults. There are a thousand stories swirling around that barn. The photographs are so beautiful as well. I hope one day you come to own this barn to keep her safe from being modernized. xx

Hello,I visited your blog today - I saw you on 'Too Cute Things.' Your photos are lovely, and I also love vintage. While I was reading, I noticed that we have a lot of the same interests. I love family history and knowing who my ancestors were. I like the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's era. I love photography, and my girls love to travel. I see that you like old postcards. I still have the postcard that my husband sent me in the mail before we even met. Me and my daughters started a new blog, and we would love it if you could visit us and follow. I would enjoy coming back to visit with you. It sounds like we have much in common. I hope to hear from you, and have a sweet day.~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

The barn is lovely just the way it is and I hope it stays that way. It looks like you live in a lovely place.

Over the road from my cottage, one of my neighbours is renovating her barn to be used as stables. I feel quite sad about this because, although it was just a disused farm building it had so much charm in its dilapidation. But at least it isn't going to be a holiday cottage...

awesome barn, I would hate to see it fall down. I bet it has a history. I guess I would rather see it changed than destroyed. It would retain a little magic and its demise would be put off for another 100 years at leastJanice

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Hello, my name is ISABELLE. I am half British, half Belgian. I have lived in France for most of my childhood. I now live in Somerset in the South West of England. I am happily married to Alan, have a lovely 11 year daughter and 2 cats. I have a passion for all things vintage. The 1930's through to the 60s are the eras which interest me and influence me most. I also have a keen interest in complementary therapies.
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